As family and friends looked on, the city of Green Bay honored a man killed in a hit-and-run five years ago at the Green Bay Metro Transportation Center on Tuesday.
John Kennedy, 20, was killed in January 2011 after a driver hit him while he was in his wheelchair on the street near his apartment. The Kennedy family said he was in the street because the city-owned sidewalk was not cleared after a snowstorm.
On Tuesday, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt announced that the Transportation Center way would be renamed after Kennedy. He also revealed a new plaque with Kennedy's likeness.
The Kennedy family filed a lawsuit several years ago so that the city would make changes regarding snow removal policies and honor John's memory.
"[We] just said, go to work on behalf of John and make the world a better place like he was going to do on his own," said Jeff Kennedy, John's father.
The city and family came to an agreement that included the memorial, snow removal changes, and a proposed handicap-accessible bus shelter.
The biggest issue is snow removal. The Kennedy's have pushed the city to make changes since John's death in order to clear sidewalks faster.
"You now have 24 hours after the end of a snowfall to have the ice and snow accumulations removed from the public walks," said Green Bay Public Works Director Steve Grenier.
The Kennedy's are also working to make it easier for those with limited mobility to use public transportation in Green Bay.
